Bringing the Girls Inc. experience to more girls

Perhaps no other election season focused this much attention on the treatment and perception of women in society. While we made history with the first woman on the ballot as a major political party candidate for President, we also grapple with a disheartening reality: the barriers women and girls face on the street, in schools, and in the workplace are real and profound.

The gender bias and sexism we’ve witnessed this election year go beyond political affiliation or sides of the aisle. At Girls Inc., we have a moral obligation to address and try to improve girls’ rights and opportunities. Just as we teach our girls to speak up and advocate for themselves, we must do the same.

We advocate for policies that are central to the well-being of girls and women. We must teach girls the power of making a difference through government and exercising the right to vote. And importantly, we must work to change the attitudes and beliefs concerning the abilities and potential of every girl.

We envision a culture where girls can express themselves freely and pursue political leadership – or whatever path they choose; where no girl ever hesitates to report sexual assault or wishes she had just remained silent; where we strike down the notion that “boys will be boys” and where casual talk about sexual assault is not tolerated.

Because you stand with us, we can all stand with girls.  

Your investment in Girls Inc. - which fuels our growth in delivering high-impact, life changing experiences to girls around the country - has positioned us to enjoy a remarkable year thus far. Indeed, you join some of the country’s leading philanthropists and change agents in their support of our efforts to significantly expand our service to girls. The S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation awarded us an extraordinary $10 million grant and challenged us to meet their investment - a goal that, just five months after launching, we are 70% of the way to fulfilling. We were elated to receive a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to expand our mentoring efforts with girls who are most at risk for becoming involved in the juvenile justice system. And, a longtime donor invested $1 million in Girls Inc., a very significant increase from last year.

As I reflect on these remarkable past few months, I am challenged by all that girls are witnessing in the media and the messages that we continue to encounter. But I am also inspired by what we are poised to achieve together. With you in our corner, we can equip more girls to defy limitations and stereotypes, graduate from college, achieve economic independence and break the cycle of poverty. Together, we will create a world in which girls are ready to become women who contribute fully to a promising future.

In this season of giving thanks, I am deeply moved by our entire donor community and you who make this work possible.

Warm regards,

Judy Vredenburgh

President & CEO